WATCH: MSU's Izzo Talks Big Ten COTY, Conference Tourney, More
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- While it didn't seem to be in question, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo received the Big Ten Coach of the Year Award on Tuesday.
In a year when the conference was the largest it has ever been, Izzo proved he's still the face of it, leading the Spartans to a Big Ten regular season title and finishing the regular season with a seven-game win streak that included five victories over ranked teams.
Izzo addressed the media shortly after receiving the award.
You can watch below:
Below is a partial transcript from Izzo's opening statement of his postgame press conference that followed his team's regular-season finale win over Michigan on Sunday:
Izzo: "As you get older, you don't know when you'll get another opportunity to enjoy something. But so many people I want to thank. I just think our marketing people are brilliant. Our AD, our president. And everybody did their job, and our fans and former players -- that's why I never wanted to leave this place. And I know every place has good things and bad things. We've had our share of bad things. But I just love the direction we're headed. I'm glad I stuck around to hopefully be part of this resurgence. And not for the athletics, for the program, I'm just talking about for all of us. So, the game was -- I thought we played awfully well first half. We really did, shot it better, didn't turn the ball over, two turnovers. They had a bunch of them. The second half, we started out good, we get that 25-point lead, and then, we were poor, and they were good. Give them credit, they were good. But we turned the ball over like I haven't seen. I mean, we're spin dribbling, we did some crazy things. And so, I think it'll be a good teaching point in the film session that you can't have those leads; you get in the tournament when it's one-and-done, and those things cost you. So, hopefully, we'll learn from it.”
Michigan State is the No. 1 overall seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Its quest for the conference tournament title will begin Friday in the quarterfinals.
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